Prime your subconscious for better writing

Think. Write. Lead. - Issue #68. This simple neuro hack can help you solve problems and come up with ideas faster and more efficiently.

This is the final installment in a 7-part series about the neurobiology of thought leadership. Catch up here:

Intro: The Neurobiology of Thought Leadership

1. The happy 😃 thought leader

2. The secret to seeing the big picture

3. My best advice for writing thought leadership

4. Can booze make you a thought leader?

5. This is how it's gonna end

6. Thought leadership begins with loading

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Do you ever get brilliant ideas while taking a shower?

Or do you get the answer to a problem you were stuck in for days while taking a walk or driving?

There's a reason for it.

When you perform an easy activity, it keeps the conscious mind occupied (but not too much) and allows the subconscious to take over.

That's good because your subconscious:

• Is faster and more efficient than the conscious mind.

• Has unlimited capacity (the conscious mind, your prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, can only handle 7 things at a time).

So, how does this relate to thought leadership and writing?

Well, when you feel stuck in your writing, or need to come up with leading thoughts, you can recruit your subconscious to help you out.

Here's how...

1. Write down your problem or question in detail — but don't worry about connecting ideas yet, which happens later.

2. Activate your subconscious with a lightly stimulating activity (something you can do without concentrating too much), stepping away from the problem for a few hours.

3. Engage in freewriting (I explained how that works here).

So, let's practice.

THINK

• What are some ideas or frameworks you haven't been able to crack yet?

• What problem or challenge do you feel stuck in?

• What is a business venture you'd like to try but haven't yet?

WRITE

From your answers above, write down the one you want to tackle first.

For example, you can write something like:

"I want to write an article about AI and marketing, that's unique, has a distinctive POV, it's funny, and mentions my favorite fiction authors."

Then, go for a walk, do the dishes, clean the house, or solve a puzzle (whatever you can do without much effort, except for watching TV, which doesn't turn off consciousness).

You can also exercise lightly or take a nap.

After a few hours, sit down to write your article. You'll see the results.

LEAD.

Knowing how your brain works and what you can do to stimulate creativity and the flow of new ideas gives you a tremendous advantage.

A leader's advantage.

Use the seven tactics in this series in your daily thought leadership practice and you'll have a treasure of ideas at your disposal.

I'm looking forward to reading what you come up with.